The Tres Pinos Branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad began train service to Hollister on July 13, 1871. Train service was a main reason the population grew from 300 in 1870 to over 2000 in 1873. Besides passenger service, major commodities shipped . . . — — Map (db m26832) HM

Education was important to settlers in San Benito County, who would start a school with as few as five pupils, a place to hold class and a teacher. Early schools were placed 'about 5 miles apart' because the students had to travel on foot or on . . . — — Map (db m26730) HM

Fueled with a zest largely unknown outside of WW II combat vets, Wino Willie Forkner and other early members of the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club partied with other clubs and the citizens of Hollister at its famous 1947 Gypsy Tour. Prominent at the . . . — — Map (db m78353) HM

Was discovered on February 22, 1907 by James Marshall Couch while prospecting for quicksilver on a fifty dollar grubstake for shares from R.W. Dallas and Tom Sanders. On July 30, 1907 mineralogy Professor George D. Louderback identified it as a new . . . — — Map (db m63910) HM

Pinnacles has seen the birth and growth of modern rock climbing over the past 80 years. The early accents of the rock spires, often done with basketball sneakers and braided hemp rope, were dangerous and intensely challenging. The crackless faces of . . . — — Map (db m87694) HM

Built in 1894 by J.J. Burt to carry “Diamond Brand” lime from Harlan Mt. the S.P. railhead at Tres Pinos.
The track was a single wooden rail. The locomotive was wood fueled steam operated. On its maiden voyage the engine exploded while . . . — — Map (db m62683) HM

New Idria Mine ranks amoung the most famous quicksilver mines of the world. Named for Idria Mine, then in Austria. Mission Fathers, before the American Occupation, made assays and determined ore to be cinnabar. Work begun in 50's. In 1881 between . . . — — Map (db m26987) HM

Ecology is all about how all things around us interact and affect each other, from rocks to plants to animals. Here is a place rich with different ecological interactions. How many can you see?
Millions of years ago, most of California was under . . . — — Map (db m71565) HM

The original town of Tres Pinos had been here for more than a decade when its post office opened on January 24, 1971. The town lost use of its name after August 12, 1873, when the Southern Pacific Railroad opened the Tres Pinos Station 4.7 miles . . . — — Map (db m26942) HM

The rocky spires of Condor Crags are seen rising above you, named by those who once saw California condors soaring over these lofty formations. In 2003, Pinnacles National Monument became part of a cooperative program to restore these endangered . . . — — Map (db m41123) HM

has been designated a
Registered National
Historic Landmark
under the provisions of the
Historic Sites Ace of August 21, 1935
This site possesses exceptional value
in commemorating or illustrating
the history of the United . . . — — Map (db m41010) HM

“On October 24, 1839, I blessed the Campo Santo Nuevo (New Cemetery, which because the cemetery adjoining the church could no more bodies, was laid out away from the church).”
Fr. Antonio Anzar
A part of Rancho de . . . — — Map (db m62726) HM

This adobe building erected about 1838 on a grant of 1500 Spanish varas from the Mexican Government to Don Jose Maria Castro, interim Comandante General 1845-1846 and interim Governor of Alta California 1835-1836. Deeded by him February 7, 1849 to . . . — — Map (db m15354) HM

The Castro/Breen adobe is associated with the early development and settlement of Mexican California. The adobe is an excellent example of blended eastern and western building methods first produced in Monterey to form the Monterey Colonial . . . — — Map (db m82243) HM

The above marker shows the direction of the road that connected the 21 Missions. Expeditions left here to go north to Mission Santa Clara or go south to the head-quarters at Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo.
This road was used from 1797 to . . . — — Map (db m15344) HM

In March 1846, Jose Castro, Mexican Military Commander, ordered John C. Fremont from the country, and with Kit Carson and 60 men he moved to top of peak. Built entrenchments, raised flag and awaited attack. Bear Flag Incident and Mexican War . . . — — Map (db m15321) HM

Fremont Peak was called Gavilan Peak in early Spanish times, Gavilan in English meaning Hawk. In 1846 Capt. John Charles Fremont, brevet captain of topographical engineers of the United States Army, was conducting a survey and exploring expedition . . . — — Map (db m62680) HM

Jim Jack was known as China Jim, the Mustard King. In the 1880’s he gathered mustard seed from the grain fields in the San Juan Valley. Jim Jack, “the big-hearted Chinaman” had that rarest of gifts, the gift of giving. — — Map (db m62721) HM

John Charles Fremont was a naturalist, explorer, scientist and Captain with the U.S. Topographical Engineers on his third expedition to the West when he camped on this mountain. His assignment was to survey, map, chart trails and find the shortest . . . — — Map (db m57986) HM

Founded June 24, 1797 by Father Laseun
15th of the 21 Missions largest and only church with 3 aisles. Dedicated in 1812
Monastery wing consisted of 36 rooms
This Mission has never been abandoned. It is now the parish church of San Juan . . . — — Map (db m82242) HM

Reportedly built in the 1840’s by a Basque named Rafael Pico. First recorded owner Maria Antonia Boronda in 1849. Owned by family members of Jose Maria Castro for many years. Ruins purchased by San Juan Bautista Parlor, N.D.G.W. in 1934. — — Map (db m62688) HM

In Memoriam
Patrick and Margaret Breen
These pioneers left county Carlow, Ireland, in 1828. By 1845 they were owners of a farm in Iowa Territory.
Heading westward again, they joined the Donnor (sic) Party, whose heroic struggles . . . — — Map (db m62725) HM

English:
Residents Built and Destroyed on this Corner
The first permanent structures here were the adobe apartments for the Mission military families.
In 1856, a wooden Wells Fargo Express Office replaced the adobe ruins. . . . — — Map (db m82205) HM

San Juan Bautista Historic District
has been designated a
National Registered
Historic Landmark
Under the provisions of the
Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935
This site possesses exceptional value
in commemorating or illustrating
the . . . — — Map (db m15355) HM

The San Juan Pacific Railway was incorporated May 4, 1907, becoming the California Central Railroad in 1912. Some of the locals referred to it as The San Juan Terrific. Built to haul the expected large quantities of Portland cement from the Old . . . — — Map (db m100906) HM

English:
Holding Cell for Drunks and Petty Offenders
Sheriffs transported law breakers to Monterey or Hollister until 1870. Then the town built a jail for minor violators. Originally located on 4th Street, this simple building served the . . . — — Map (db m92884) HM

Dedicated MDCCCCXXIII
by the citizens of San Juan
Bautista under the auspices of the
San Juan Bautista Parlor
Native Daughters of the Golden West
to the
Veterans of the World War
and in memory of
Charles F. Patrick
who died . . . — — Map (db m62722) WM

Once a common sight in the rural Hollister area, apricot cutting sheds were where the harvested apricots were cut in half and then were placed on wood trays to be dried in the sun. The apricot season usually started at the same time that school got . . . — — Map (db m99825) HM